Miracles come in small packages! Aleisha’s the youngest person ever diagnosed with breast cancer and a true survivor.

HollyMoms, this story will warm your hearts. Little Aleisha Hunter, now 4, became the youngest person in the world to be diagnosed with breast cancer – and she survived the disease at 3-years-old with her teddy bear Ash by her side! Not only did Aleisha make medical history, but she showed so much bravery throughout the entire ordeal – her story is an inspiration!

The majority of breast cancer cases are found in women over the age of 50, and normally affects women age 30 and over – which is exactly why Aleisha’s case so shocking. It’s so rare in younger girls because they have too little breast tissue and the tissue is unaffected by female sex hormones. It makes sense that the risk of getting the disease usually increases after puberty.

According to the Daily Mail, Aleisha’s mother Melaniefound the small lump on her daughter after a bath one day in December 2008 – and naturally, she didn’t think much of it. Would you? “It was a tiny little hard lump, the size of a pea. I thought it was a harmless cyst,” Melanie told theDaily Mail. At first, doctors told her the lump was nothing serious. But in January 2009, the lump was so painful Aleisha couldn’t sleep, and Melanie took her back to the hospital.

“We were so shocked when the diagnosis was made,” Aleisha’s surgeon Dr. Nancy Downtold the Daily Mail. “I’ve been dealing with breast cancer cases for 25 years and have never come across a patient this young.”

Aleisha had to go through a lot of medical procedures, including a mastectomy and having 16 lymph nodes removed from her armpit to make sure the cancer hadn’t spread. And her teddy bear, Ash, stuck by her side through everything — he even had his own oxygen mask! Luckily, there was no need for chemotherapy or radiation, and Aleisha was sent home three days later! Isn’t that amazing?

Fortunately, doctors say that the cancer is unlikely to return. Aleisha still faces reconstructive breast surgery when she’s older, and regular check-ups, but she continues to remain strong. And she also knows exactly what she went through. She said, “I know I had cancer in my booby and that the doctors made it better. I know that cancer can make some people go to heaven, but I am better now.”

We hope that Aleisha continues to stay in good health! Her amazing diagnosis and recovery is inspiring to everyone!